Panoramic tilting tripod head



Jan. 11, 1949. R. J. PAGLIUSO PANORAMIC TILTING TRIPOD HEAD Filed April 22, 1946 0 J a w 0 M 2 WW 2 5 t WM M a i W Q M Q MW,

Patented Jan. 11 1949 "um-rep imre PANoRAMIc TILTmarmronaman H adb 'rltiineagiiiiis'o, elenaaieeeiif. nppiicaimniephlaz, isreser iaij No. 1663,9'80

4 Glaims. (015248-1831 This invention is :a panoramic, -tiltingdiead structure for camera tripods.

, Panoramic, :tripod fheads :have severalobjectional features such as lack of stability Tof ith'e rotary 'headipart'onthe'base part; defective control of the swivelling action of the head part, and the need of too much attention of the op- .erator of the cameraduring;theflmaking of pie- "tures.

In this art it is very desira that the operational parts should 'smootlily,- accurately and easily function at all times and that the operator should have instant control of the 'degreerof :fric- .tion as between the swivelled rparts.

Therefore it is an objectiof this invention to provide a. panoramic tripod :he'ad structure which will 'overcomethe above .andv other known objections and at the "same time "provide a highly efficientieompact, substantialpilong-life andn'ot too expensive tripod swivel head structure.

A further object is to provide a panoramic tripod head of but few and very simple but highly practical elements in the head assembly.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a master control device which embodies the several functions of well stabilizing th rotary head part; of uniformly exerting a swivelling friction on the rotary head part, and of forming an effective lock to hold the head part rigidly with and as to the base part, at the Will of the operator.

Noticeably, an object of the invention is to provide a friction or braking device which distributes the needed friction by Way of a large and peripheral zone of contact onto a complementary area of the relatively stationary base part.

The invention resides in certain features of advancements in this art as set forth in the ensuing disclosure and having, with the above, additional objects and advantages as hereinafter developed, and whose constructions, combinations and sub-combinations, and details of means, and the manner of operation will be made manifest in the following description of the herewith illustrative embodiment; it being understood that modifications, variations, and adaptations may be resorted to within the scope, spirit and principles of the invention as it is more directly claimed in conclusion hereof.

Figure 1 is an elevation looking toward the side of the camera tilting block and its operating lever.

Figure 2 is an elevation of the unit looking toward the right side, as to Fig. 1; the lever being in cross-section.

- Figure-3 ism-vertical"section on the axis of the head swivel. iFigu're A is a broken awayiplan of the main :fri'ction washer. I

Figure -5 "is aiplan :Iof 1a lock washer for the irotary headipart. v y Figure 6iis' aapla'n of the isolated friction, lock- -=ingriring'. I

The assembly-includes a preferably cylindrical base 2 here 'havinga'vcentral;bottom plug threaded at 4 I0: =attachment of a desired tripod top or table "(not-shown); 'a headiba'se locating screw 5' being provideddn'the' bottom of the base 2. Above and mounted on the base 2.there"is a rotative head body I0 having arigid, transverse strunnionaiiin KM onx'which is til table, on a hori- .zontal axis,"a oamerazearrying block l 2, having a :centralprotative iscrew to a'fliir the camera (not shown) l heblockm iis tiltable by means of' an extendedhandlecor lever I 4. i Means arel prbvi'de d iioro'tatively #connect' the head part I 0 to the stationary base part 2 and aifix these parts against relative axial shift and effect a snug hitch of the parts one to the other without objectionable loose play and rattle in the event that the main friction control device of the assembly is inactive.

The base 2 has a wide and flat transverse shoulder l5 from which projects upward a central hollow hub l8 and upwardly from the top of this hub extends a reduced boss I! whose inner end presents an annular, flat face l8 on which lies a friction washer I 9 which is engaged by a subjacent hard, rotative washer 20 which has an internal key notch 2|; Fig. 4.

The bottom face of the rotative head It is deeply pocketed at 22 and has a central, pendent hub 23 telescoping into the boss I! and having an end key 24 projecting into the notch 2| of the adjacent washer 20. A fastening screw 25 pierces the washers l9 and 20 and screws into the head hub 23. The purpose of this screw 25 is to firmly pull the rotary head If! toward the base 2 and crowd the hard washer 28 onto the softer friction washer I 9 on which the keyed washer 20 turns with any rotation of the head part In.

A distinctive feature of this invention resides in the means which controls the degree of friction which is to be had as between the stationary base 2 and the panoramic head part l0, and also constitutes a head stabilizer, and a friction equalizer, as well. This means here includes a relatively large, resilient ring 21 split at one side and having the opposite ends at the split provided with outwardly convergent, fiat faces 28 complementary to an interposed wedge 29, Fig. 6 having an actuating screw 30 which rotates in a lateral boss 3!, Fig. 3, of the head ID. The screw 30 has aknurled thumb-cap whereby to draw the wedge 29 outward and therefore expand the split ring, or to loosen it for contraction, as desired.

The ring 2'! surrounds and is well spaced from the base hub l6 and has a deep npper, conical face 210 which is complementary to and constantly self-centers on an internal conic face H10 in the recessed bottom of the head part 10. The bot:- tom face of the ring 21 has an annuIar marginal bearing zone 21?; to engage and rotate on the near top face of the subjacent friction washer 33 disposed on the flat shoulder l of the base 2.

It will be seen that the conic ring 21 is of such size that even with but slight expansion effort M by the Wedge 29 the head I!) is effectively stabi Iized on the base 2. Further, when the ring 21 is expanded by any action of'the wedge 29 the ring acts to self-center itself on the conici'face H in the head, and by so doing very evenly distributes the generated friction, against rotation of the head, around the bearing surface engaged by the zone 21b of the head l0.. The operator of the camera can readily adjust the degree of friction set up by the expansion ring 21 to suit'his notions as to facility of cam'era swing for making a panorama view;-a'nd when so desired the head l0 can be solidly locked by drawing out on the wedge 29 very firmly and thus react on the ring 21 to rigidly jam it down on the packing ringwasher 33. :1

What is claimed is:

1. A panoramic tripod head including a base attachable to a tripod and supporting. a fiat, upwardly facing friction washer, a central boss upstanding in the washer fromthe base, a head body swivelled in said boss to-turn on the plane of the said washer, a skirt extending downwardly a transverse fixed trunnion pin "above, the said swivel boss, and a handle device mounted on the pin and by which the body is rotated on the base washer.

3. The headv of claim 2; the trunnion pinion extending beyond one side of the head and opposite to the location of said radial screw so that either can be readily adjusted from its side of the body.

4. The head of claim 1; a fixed, transverse trunnion on the said body, a camera block jour- 'nalled on the trunnion forvertical' movement, and a handle attached to the block and whereby the block is tilted and the base is rotated on its swivel boss.

ROBERT J. PAGLIUSO.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS ,Number Name Date Roof Jan. 16, 1912 Willcox Nov. 4, 1941 Cardona Oct. 28, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain 1890 Number 1 12,001

' Thalhamrner Feb. 20, 1934. 

